U.S. patent number 6,914,533 [Application Number 09/811,076] was granted by the patent office on 2005-07-05 for system and method for accessing residential monitoring devices.
This patent grant is currently assigned to StatSignal IPC LLC. Invention is credited to Thomas D. Petite.
United States Patent |
6,914,533 |
Petite |
July 5, 2005 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
System and method for accessing residential monitoring devices
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a system and method for
accessing home monitoring devices remotely via a distributed
wide-area network (WAN). More specifically, the present invention
is directed towards smoke detector system, which monitors for the
presence of smoke and communicates the smoke condition to a remote
location. The smoke detection system comprises a smoke detection
device connected to a communication device. The smoke detection
device outputs a signal or a change in a signal upon detection of
smoke. This signal or change in signal is monitored by the
communication device. The smoke condition is then communicated to
the remote central location via a message system.
Inventors: |
Petite; Thomas D.
(Douglasville, GA) |
Assignee: |
StatSignal IPC LLC (Atlanta,
GA)
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Family
ID: |
46257613 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/811,076 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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790150 |
Feb 21, 2001 |
6522974 |
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439059 |
Nov 12, 1999 |
6437692 |
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412895 |
Oct 5, 1999 |
6218953 |
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271517 |
Mar 18, 1999 |
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172554 |
Oct 14, 1998 |
6028522 |
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102178 |
Jun 22, 1998 |
6430268 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/628;
340/539.1; 340/630; 340/629 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01V
1/364 (20130101); G01V 1/37 (20130101); G08B
17/10 (20130101); G08B 25/009 (20130101); G08B
17/113 (20130101); H04W 8/26 (20130101); H04W
24/00 (20130101); H04W 88/16 (20130101); H04M
11/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G08B
1/08 (20060101); G08B 17/10 (20060101); G08B
1/00 (20060101); G08B 017/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/628,629,630,632,539.1,577,500,520-524,531,540,534,286.02,286.05
;370/310 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: La; Anh V.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Troutman Sanders LLP Schneider;
Ryan A. Schutz; James E.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
applications Ser. No. 09/790,150, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,522,974 filed
Feb. 21, 2001, and entitled "System and Method for Monitoring and
Controlling Residential Devices," U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/271,517, now abandoned filed Mar. 18, 1999, and entitled,
"System For Monitoring Conditions in a Residential Living
Community;" Ser. No. 09/439,059, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,692 filed
Nov. 12, 1999, and entitled, "System and Method for Monitoring and
Controlling Remote Devices," and Ser. No. 09/102,178, now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,430,268 filed Jun. 22, 1998, entitled, "Multi-Function
General Purpose Transceiver;" Ser. No. 09/172,554, now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,028,522 filed Oct. 14, 1998, entitled, "System for Monitoring
the Light Level Around an ATM;" Ser. No. 09/412,895, now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,218,953 filed Oct. 5, 1999, entitled, "System and Method for
Monitoring the Light Level Around an ATM." Each of the identified
U.S. patent applications is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. This application also claims the benefit of U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 60/223,932, filed Aug. 9, 2000,
and entitled "Design Specifications for a Smoke Detector
Communication device," the contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
Claims
Therefore, having thus described the invention, at least the
following is claimed:
1. A smoke detector comprising: a smoke sensor sensing a smoke
condition and outputting an alarm signal upon detecting a smoke
condition; an alarm, connected to the smoke sensor, indicating a
smoke condition upon detection of the alarm signal; a communication
device, connected to the smoke sensor, receiving the alarm signal
and wirelessly transmitting an indicator of the smoke condition in
a predetermined message format to a remote monitoring device upon
detection of the alarm signal, each communication device having a
unique address; wherein the smoke sensor is a photodetection smoke
sensor; wherein the alarm is an audible alarm; and wherein the
predetermined message format comprises at least one packet, wherein
the packet comprises: a receiver address comprising a scalable
address of the at least one of the intended receiving communication
device; a sender address comprising the address of the sending
communication device; a command indicator comprising a command
code; at least one data value comprising a scalable message; and an
error detector that is a redundancy check error detector.
2. The smoke detector of claim 1, wherein the alarm signal is
transmitted using digital modulation.
3. The smoke detector of claim 2, wherein the packet further
comprises: a packet length indicator which indicates a total number
of bytes in the current packet; a total packet indicator which
indicates the total number of packets in the current message; a
current packet indicator which indicates which packet of the total
packets the current packet is; and a message number, wherein the
controller generates a sender message in the preformated command
message and the transceiver generates a response message number
formed by a mathematical combination of the sender message number
and a predetermined offset.
4. The smoke detector of claim 2, wherein the packet further
comprises: a preface and a postscript; wherein the preface
comprises a predetermined sequence comprising a first logic level
and a subsequent sequence comprising at least two bytes of a second
logic level; and wherein the postscript comprises a low voltage
output.
5. The smoke detector of claim 2, wherein the wireless
communication comprises radio frequency (RF) communication.
6. The smoke detector of claim 2, wherein the wireless
communication comprises a low powered RF communication.
7. The smoke detector of claim 2, wherein the digital modulation is
encoded using at least one of the following protocols: Manchester
encoding; Quadrature shift keying; On-off keying; and Amplitude
shift keying.
8. A smoke detector comprising: a smoke sensor sensing a smoke
condition and outputting an alarm signal upon detecting a smoke
condition; an alarm, connected to the smoke sensor, indicating a
smoke condition upon detection of the alarm signal; and a
communication device, connected to the smoke sensor, receiving the
alarm signal and wirelessly transmitting an indicator of the smoke
condition in a predetermined message format to a remote monitoring
device upon detection of the alarm signal, each communication
device having an unique address; wherein the smoke sensor is a
photodetection smoke sensor; wherein the alarm is an audible alarm;
wherein the predetermined message format comprises at least one
packet, wherein the packet comprises: a receiver address comprising
a scalable address of the at least one of the intended receiving
communication device; a sender address comprising the address of
the sending communication device; a command indicator comprising a
command code; at least one data value comprising a scalable
message; and an error detector that is a redundancy check error
detector; wherein the packet further comprises: a packet length
indicator which indicates a total number of bytes in the current
packet; a total packet indicator which indicates the total number
of packets in the current message; a current packet indicator which
indicates which packet of the total packets the current packet is;
and a message number, wherein the controller generates a sender
message in the preformatted command message and the transceiver
generate a response message number formed by a mathematical
combination of the sender message number and a predetermined
offset.
9. The smoke detector of claim 8, wherein the packet further
comprises: a preface and a postscript; wherein the preface
comprises a predetermined sequence comprising a first logic level
and a subsequent sequence comprising at least two bytes of a second
logic level; and wherein the postscript comprises a low voltage
output.
10. The smoke detector of claim 9, wherein the wireless
communication comprises radio frequency (RF) communication.
11. The smoke detector of claim 10, wherein the wireless
communication comprises a low powered RF communication.
12. The smoke detector of claim 11, wherein the message comprises
Manchester encoding.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to remotely monitored
residential systems, and more particularly to a remote smoke
detection device, which monitors for the presence of smoke and
communicates to a remote controller the smoke condition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As is known, there are a variety of systems for monitoring and
controlling manufacturing processes, inventory systems, emergency
control systems, and the like. Most automated systems use remote
sensors and controllers to monitor and respond to various system
parameters to reach desired results. A number of control systems
utilize computers or dedicated microprocessors in association with
appropriate software to process system inputs, model system
responses, and control actuators to implement corrections within a
system.
The prior art FIG. 1 sets forth a traditional monitoring system
100. The exemplary monitoring sensor 105 is hardwired to a local
controller 110, which communicates to a central monitoring station
115 via the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 125. An
example of this kind of system would be a traditional home security
system. Each monitoring device 105 such as a smoke detector, motion
detector, glass breakage detector, etc. is hardwired to the central
monitoring station 115 via the PSTN 125 and the local controller
110.
In particular, residential monitoring systems have multiplied as
individuals seek protection and safety in their residences. It has
been proven that monitoring for the presence of heat or smoke
indicative of a fire and sounding an audible alarm saves lives. In
addition, advances have been made to include these fire (heat or
smoke) detectors into home security systems. However, these home
security systems are often hardwired into the residence, which is
costly and quite difficult to install. Also, each residence systems
individually communicates with the central location via the PSTN.
This connection is quite susceptible to interruption either by
accident or on purpose and requires each residence to have a
connection into the PSTN.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to develop a fire monitoring
system that easily, reliably, and quickly communicates with a
remote central location when necessary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the advantages and novel features, the present invention
is generally directed to a system and a cost-effective method for
accessing home monitoring devices remotely via a distributed
wide-area network (WAN). More specifically, the present invention
is directed towards a smoke detector system which monitors for the
presence of smoke and communicates the smoke condition to a remote
central location.
The smoke detection system comprises a smoke detection device
connected to a communication device. The smoke detection device
outputs a signal or a change in a signal once smoke is detected.
This signal or change in signal is monitored by the communication
device. The smoke condition is then communicated to the remote
central location via a message system.
In accordance with a broad aspect of the invention, a system is
provided having one or more monitoring devices to be accessed
ultimately through a computing device in communication with the
WAN. The monitoring devices are in communication with wireless
transceivers that transmit and/or receive encoded data and control
signals to and from the computing device. In this regard,
additional wireless repeaters may relay the encoded data and
control signals between transceivers disposed in connection with
the monitoring devices and a gateway to the WAN. It should be
appreciated that, a portion of the information communicated
includes data that uniquely identifies the monitoring devices.
Another portion of the data is a multi-bit code word that may be
decipherable through a look-up table within either the WAN gateway
or a WAN interconnected computer.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system is
configured to monitor and report system parameters. The system is
implemented by using a plurality of wireless transceivers. At least
one wireless transceiver is interfaced with a sensor, transducer,
actuator or some other device associated with an application
parameter of interest. The system also includes a plurality of
transceivers that act as signal repeaters that are dispersed
throughout the nearby geographic region at defined locations. By
defined locations, it is meant only that the general location of
each transceiver is "known" by a WAN integrated computer. WAN
integrated computers may be informed of transceiver physical
locations after permanent installation, as the installation
location of the transceivers is not limited. Each transceiver that
serves to repeat a previously generated data signal may be further
integrated with its own unique sensor or a sensor actuator
combination as required. Additional transceivers may be configured
as standalone devices that serve to simply receive, format, and
further transmit system data signals. Further, the system includes
a local data formatter that is configured to receive information
communicated from the transceivers, format the data, and forward
the data via the gateway to one or more software application
servers interconnected with the WAN. The application server further
includes means for evaluating the received information and
identifying the system parameter and the originating location of
the parameter. The application server also includes means for
updating a database or further processing the reported
parameters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the
specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention,
and together with the description serve to explain the principles
of the invention. The components in the drawings are not
necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly
illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in
the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts
throughout the several views. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 sets forth a prior art monitoring system;
FIG. 2 sets forth a monitoring system in accordance with the
present invention;
FIG. 3 sets forth an embodiment of a communication device in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 4 sets forth an alternate embodiment of a communication device
in accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 5A and 5B set forth a smoke detection device in accordance
with the present invention;
FIG. 6 sets forth an alternate smoke detection device in accordance
with the present invention;
FIG. 7 sets forth a block diagram of the smoke detection system in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 8 sets forth a perspective of the smoke detection system of
the present invention;
FIG. 9 sets forth a cross sectional view of the smoke detection
system of the present invention;
FIGS. 10A and 10B set forth a block diagram of an alternate
embodiment of the smoke detection system of the present
invention;
FIG. 11 sets forth a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of
the smoke detection system of the present invention;
FIG. 12 sets forth an embodiment of a residential monitoring
system;
FIG. 13 sets forth an embodiment of a local controller;
FIG. 14 sets forth an embodiment of a messaging system; and
FIG. 15 sets forth sample messages in accordance with the messaging
system of FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Having summarized the invention above, reference is now made in
detail to the description of the invention as illustrated in the
drawings. While the invention will be described in connection with
these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or
embodiments disclosed therein. On the contrary, the intent is to
cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included
within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims.
Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a schematic diagram
illustrating a distributed data monitoring/control system suitable
for home monitoring applications in accordance with the present
invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, a distributed data
monitoring/control system (DDMCS) in accordance with the present
invention is identified generally by reference numeral 200. The
DDMCS 200 may comprise one or more application servers 205 (one
shown for simplicity of illustration), one or more data base
servers 210, a WAN 215, a plurality of transceiver/repeaters 220,
transceivers 225, sensors 230, transmitters 235, and at least one
local gateway 240. As is further illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the
sensors 230 is integrated such that it is communicatively coupled
with a suitably configured RF transceiver/repeater 220, a RF
transceiver 225, or a RF transmitter 235. Hereinafter, the group
including a RF transceiver/repeater 220, a RF transceiver 225, and
a RF transmitter 235 will be referred to as RF communication
devices. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the application
of the various devices deployed in a wireless network interface
between a plurality of residential system sensors 230 and various
computing devices in communication with a WAN 215 in a distributed
home monitoring system.
Each of the aforementioned RF communication devices is preferably
small in size and may be configured to transmit a relatively
low-power RF signal. As a result, in some applications, the
transmission range of a given RF communication device may be
relatively limited. As will be appreciated from the description
that follows, this relatively limited transmission range of the RF
communication devices is an advantageous and desirable
characteristic of the DDMCS 200. Although the RF communication
devices are depicted without a user interface such as a keypad, in
certain embodiments the RF communication devices may be configured
with user selectable pushbuttons, switches, or an alphanumeric
keypad suitably configured with software and or firmware to accept
operator input. Often, the RF communication devices will be
electrically interfaced with a sensor 230 such as with a smoke
detector, etc., where user selectable inputs may not be needed.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the one or more sensors 230 may be
communicatively coupled to at least one local gateway 240 via a RF
transmitter 235, a RF transceiver 225, or in the alternative, a RF
transceiver/repeater 220. Those skilled in the art will appreciate
that in order to send a command from the server 205 to a sensor
230, the RF device in communication with the sensor 230 should be a
two-way communication device. It will also be appreciated that one
or more sensors may be in direct communication with one or more
local gateways 240. It will be further appreciated that the
communication medium between the one or more sensors and the one or
more local gateways 240 may be wireless or for relatively closely
located configurations a wired communication medium may be
used.
As is further illustrated in FIG. 2, the DDMCS 200 may comprise a
plurality of stand-alone RF transceiver/repeaters 220. Each
stand-alone RF transceiver/repeater 220 as well as each RF
transceiver 225 may be configured to receive one or more incoming
RF transmissions (transmitted by a remote transmitter 235 or
transceiver 225) and to transmit an outgoing signal. This outgoing
signal may be another low-power RF transmission signal, a
higher-power RF transmission signal, or alternatively may be
transmitted over a conductive wire, fiber optic cable, or other
transmission media. The internal architecture of the various RF
communication devices will be discussed in more detail in
connection with FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. It will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that integrated RF transceivers 225 can be
replaced by RF transmitters 225 for client specific applications
that require data collection only.
One or more local gateways 240 are configured and disposed to
receive remote data transmissions from the various stand-alone RF
transceiver/repeaters 220, integrated RF transmitters 235, or the
integrated RF transceivers 225. The local gateways 240 may be
configured to analyze the transmissions received, convert the
transmissions into TCP/IP format and further communicate the remote
data signal transmissions via WAN 215 to one or more application
servers 205 or other WAN 215 interconnected computing devices such
as a laptop 245, a workstation 250, etc. as would be known to one
of ordinary skill in the art. In this regard, and as will be
further described below, local gateways 240 may communicate
information in the form of data and control signals to the sensor
230 from application server 205, laptop computer 245, and
workstation 250 across WAN 215. The application server 205 can be
further associated with a database server 210 to record client
specific data or to assist the application server 205 in
deciphering a particular data transmission from a particular sensor
230. Other configurations can be achieved as would be obvious to
one of ordinary skill in the art based upon individual design
constraints.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that if an
integrated RF communication device (e.g., a RF transmitter 235, a
RF transceiver 225, or a RF transceiver/repeater 220) is located
sufficiently close to local gateways 240 such that its RF output
signal can be received by one or more local gateways 240, the data
transmission signal need not be processed and repeated through
either a RF transceiver/repeater 220 or a RF transceivers 225. To
transmit the RF signal, the RF communication device can use a RF
bit speed of 4.8 Kbps at half duplex with a bit speed of 2.4 Kbps
and can use Manchester encoding. While these are examples of an RF
transmission protocol, it would be obvious to one of ordinary skill
in the art to use other bit speeds and encoding methodologies known
in the art. By way of example, one could employ quadarture shift
keying, which would allow the use of a hexadecimal message in
contrast with a binary message.
It will be further appreciated that a DDMCS 200 may be used in
conjunction with a variety of residential systems to permit remote
data access via a plurality of distributed computing devices in
communication with a suitable WAN 215. As will be further
appreciated from the discussion herein, each of the RF
communication devices may have substantially identical construction
(particularly with regard to their internal electronics), which
provides a cost-effective implementation at the system level.
Furthermore, a plurality of stand-alone RF transceiver/repeaters
220, which may be identical to one another, may be disposed in such
a way that adequate coverage throughout a residence and or a
residential community is provided. Preferably, stand-alone RF
transceiver/repeaters 220 may be located such that only one
stand-alone RF transceiver/repeater 220 will pick up a data
transmission from a given integrated RF transceiver 225 and/or RF
transmitter 235. However, in certain instances two or more
stand-alone RF transceiver/repeaters 220 may pick up a single data
transmission. Thus, the local gateways 240 may receive multiple
versions of the same data transmission signal from an integrated RF
transceiver 225, but from different stand-alone RF
transceiver/repeaters 220. As will be further explained in
association with the preferred data transmission protocol,
duplicative transmissions (e.g., data transmissions received at
more than one local gateway 240 originating from a single RF
communication device) may be appropriately handled.
Significantly, the local gateways 240 may communicate with all RF
communication devices. Since the local gateways 240 are permanently
integrated with the WAN 215, the application server 205 of FIG. 2
can host application specific software, which was typically hosted
in a local controller 110 of FIG. 1. Of further significance, the
data monitoring and control devices of the present invention need
not be disposed in a permanent location as long as they remain
within signal range of a system compatible RF communication device
that subsequently is within signal range of a local gateway 240
interconnected through one or more networks to the application
server 205. Of still further significance, the DDMCS 200 as
illustrated in FIG. 2, provides a flexible access and control
solution through virtually any suitably configured computing device
in communication with the WAN 215. As by way of example, a laptop
computer 245 and/or a computer workstation 250 appropriately
configured with suitable software may provide remote operator
access to data collected via the DDMCS 200. In more robust
embodiments, the laptop computer 245 and the computer workstation
250 may permit user entry of remote operative commands.
In one preferred embodiment of the DDCMS 200, an application server
205 collects, formats, and stores client specific data from each of
the integrated RF transmitters 235, RF transceivers 225, and or RF
transceiver/repeaters 220 for later retrieval or access from
workstation 250 or laptop 245. In this regard, workstation 250 or
laptop 245 can be used to access the stored information via a Web
browser in a manner that is well known in the art. In a third
embodiment, clients may elect for proprietary reasons to host
control applications on their own WAN 205 (not shown) connected
workstation 250. In this regard, database 210 and application
server 205 may act solely as data collection and reporting devices
with the client workstation 250.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
information transmitted and received by the RF communication
devices of the present invention may be further integrated with
other data transmission protocols for transmission across
telecommunications and computer networks other than the WAN 215. In
addition, it should be further appreciated that telecommunications
and computer networks other than the WAN 215 can function as a
transmission path between the communicatively coupled RF
communication devices, the local gateways 240, and the application
server 205.
FIG. 3 sets forth an embodiment of the communication device 300 of
the present invention. The communication device comprises a
transmitter controller 305, a data controller 310, a data interface
315, a transmitter identifier 320, and a sensor 325 from which the
communication device 300 receives data signals. While the
communication device 300 is shown as a RF transmitter, it could
also be an infrared, ultrasound, or other transmitter as would be
obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. As shown, the data
interface 315 receives the data signal and processes the data
signal accordingly. This processing can include signal
conditioning, analog to digital conversion, etc. as is known to one
of ordinary skill in the art depending upon individual design
constraints. The data interface 315 outputs the conditioned sensor
signal to the data controller 310. The transmitter ID 320 is a
unique identifier of the communication device 300 and can be an
EPROM or other appropriate device as would be known to one of
ordinary skill in the art. The data controller 310 uses the
conditioned sense signal and the transmitter identifier 320 to
create a message 340 according to a messaging protocol system. The
data controller 310 then outputs the message 340 to the transmitter
controller 305, which transmits the message 340 via the antenna
330. The antenna 330 can be an externally mounted, vertically
polarized antenna that can be mounted on a printed circuit board
(not shown) or any other appropriate embodiment as would be known
to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Each transmitter unit 300 in a DCCMS 200 (FIG. 2) may be configured
with a unique identification code (e.g., a transmitter
identification number) 320, that uniquely identifies the RF
transmitter 320 to the various other devices within the DCCMS 200
(FIG. 2). The transmitter identifier 320 may be programmable, and
implemented in the form of, for example, an EPROM. Alternatively,
the transmitter identifier 320 may be set/configured through a
series of dual inline package (DIP) switches. Additional
implementations of the transmitter identifier 320, whereby the
number may be set/configured as desired, may be implemented
consistent with the broad concepts of the present invention.
It will be appreciated that the transmit controller 305 may convert
information from digital electronic form into a format, frequency,
and voltage level suitable for transmission from antenna 330. As
previously mentioned, the transmitter identifier 320 is set for a
given transmitter 300. When received by the application server 160
(FIG. 2), the transmitter identifier 320 may be used to access a
look-up table that identifies, for example, the residence, the
system, and the particular parameter assigned to that particular
transmitter. Additional information about the related system may
also be provided within the lookup table, with particular
functional codes associated with a corresponding condition or
parameter, such as but not limited to, an appliance operating
cycle, a power on/off status, a temperature, a position, and/or any
other information that may be deemed appropriate or useful under
the circumstances or implementation of the particular system.
FIG. 4 sets forth and alternate embodiment of the communication
device 400 wherein the transmitter has been replaced with a
transceiver. This allows the communication device to function as a
repeater as well as receive commands from the local controller.
The communication device 400 comprises a transceiver controller
405, a data controller 410, a data interface 415, a transceiver
identifier 420, and a sensor 425. While the communication device
400 is shown as a RF transceiver, it can also be an infrared,
ultrasound, or other transceiver as would be obvious to one of
ordinary skill in the art. The data interface 415 receives the
sensed signal from the sensor 425 and processes it as discussed
above. The data controller 410 receives the processed sensor
signal, and composes a message 435 according to a preformatted
message system. The transceiver controller 405 receives the message
435 and transmits the message 435 via the antenna 430.
It will be appreciated that the transceiver controller 405 may
convert information from digital electronic form into a format,
frequency, and voltage level suitable for transmission from the
antenna 430. As previously mentioned with respect to the RF
transmitter of FIG. 3, the transceiver identification 420 is set
for a given communication device 400. When received by the
application server 205 (FIG. 2), the transceiver identifier 420 may
be used to access a look-up table that identifies, for example, the
residence, the system, and the particular parameter assigned to
that particular transceiver. Additional information about the
related system may also be provided within the lookup table, with
particular functional codes associated with a corresponding
condition or parameter such as but not limited to, smoke
conditions, a power on/off status, and/or any other information
that may be deemed appropriate or useful under the circumstances or
implementation of the particular system. The communication device
400 may be configured to receive a forward command information
either using a unique RF frequency or a time interleaved packet
based communication technique.
Again, each of these various input signals are routed from the
sensor 425 to the data interface 415, which provides the
information to a data controller 410. The data controller 410 may
utilize a look-up table to access unique function codes that are
communicated in data packet 435, along with a transceiver
identifier 420, to a local gateway 110 and further onto a WAN 130
(FIG. 2). It is significant to note that the message can include a
concatenation of the individual function codes selected for each of
the aforementioned input parameters, as well as, a similar message
(not shown) that may be received from other closely located RF
transmitters 235 and RF transceivers 225 (FIG. 2).
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the
various RF communication devices illustrated and described in
relation to the functional block diagrams of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 may
be configured with a number of optional power supply
configurations. For example, a personal mobile transceiver may be
powered by a replaceable battery. Similarly, a stand-alone RF
transceiver/repeater 220 (FIG. 2) may be powered by a replaceable
battery that may be supplemented and or periodically charged via a
solar panel. These power supply circuits, therefore, may differ
from RF communication device to RF communication device depending
upon the remote system monitored, the related actuators to be
controlled, the environment, and the quality of service level
required. Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand
how to meet the power requirements of the various RF communication
devices associated with the DCCMS 200 of the present invention. As
a result, it is not necessary to further describe a power supply
suitable for each RF communication device and each application in
order to appreciate the concepts and teachings of the present
invention.
The sensing system can comprise a communication device as described
above and a sensing device. The sensing device can sense a
condition and output a sensed signal. The sensed signal can be any
format such as analog, digital, etc. given that the data interface
is also configured to accommodate.
FIGS. 5A, 5B, and FIG. 6 set forth different embodiments of an
exemplary sensor for use with the sensing system. FIG. 5A sets
forth a photo detection smoke detector 500, which uses light to
detect a smoke condition. The photo detection smoke detector 500
comprises a T light tube 510, a light source 515, photo detection
circuitry 520, and an alarm 525. The T light tube 510 has the light
source 515 at one end of the tube 530 and an opening at the other
end of the tube 535. Perpendicular to and attached to the tube 530
is a leg tube 540. At the end of the leg tube 540 is the photo
detector circuitry 520. The photo detector circuitry 520
communicates with the alarm 525 upon detection of smoke.
As shown in FIG. 5B, to detect smoke, the light source 515 emits a
light beam 555 constantly or near constantly. If smoke is present,
the smoke particles 545 enter the end of the tube 535. The smoke
particles 545 interact with the light beam 555, causing the light
beam 540 to refract. This refracted light 560 can then travel down
the leg tube 540 and fall upon the photo detector circuitry 520.
The photo detector circuitry 520 outputs an alarm signal to the
alarm 525, which then sounds. The smoke detector 500 can either be
powered by a battery (not shown) or AC wiring (not shown).
FIG. 6 sets forth a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a
smoke detector 600. This ionizing smoke detector 600 comprises two
plates 605, 610 which are oppositely charged and a small radiation
source 615. The battery 640, the oppositely charged plates 605,
610, and the radiation source 615 form an ionized field 620 between
the plates, which is then monitored by the detection circuitry 625.
The area between the plates 605, 610 is exposed to the ambient
environment. Under smoke conditions, the smoke particles 630 will
enter between the plates 605, 610, disrupting the ionization field
620. The detection circuitry 625 then detects the change in the
ionized 620 field and signals the alarm 635 to sound. While this
smoke detector 600 shows a battery 640 as a power source, the
battery 640 can be replaced with the appropriate AC wiring (not
shown) as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.
FIG. 7 sets forth a block diagram of an embodiment of the sensing
system 7000. The sensing system 700 can comprise of a smoke
detector 705, an alarm 710, and a communication device 715. The
smoke detector 705 can be any of the know types of smoke detectors
including those discussed above. The alarm can be an audible alarm,
visual alarm, etc. based upon individual needs. The communication
device can be either the transmitter device 300 of FIG. 3 or the
transceiver device 400 of FIG. 4.
In operation, the smoke detector 705 monitors for the presence of
smoke. The method of smoke detection depends upon the type of smoke
detector used as discussed above. Upon the detection of smoke, the
smoke detector 705 outputs a control signal to the alarm 710. The
alarm 710 then activates. The method of activation depends upon the
type of alarm.
In addition, the communication device 715 monitors for the alarm
control signal. Once the smoke detector 705 sends the alarm control
signal, the communication device 715 also receives the control
signal. The communication device 715 then process the control
signal and transmits a message regarding the control signal to the
local gateway 240 of FIG. 2 via the message protocol system
discussed above.
Whereas the present invention is discussed in terms of particular
embodiments of smoke detectors, it would be obvious to one of
ordinary skill in the art to implement other embodiments of smoke
detectors as well as other sensing devices.
FIG. 8 sets forth a perspective of the sensing system 800. The
sensing system 800 can be hung from the ceiling 805 with
communication device 810 between the smoke detector 815 and the
ceiling 805. The sensing system 800 can be mounted to the ceiling
in the traditional manner or another manner dependant upon the
individual conditions. Traditionally, the smoke detector 815 would
be mounted to the ceiling via screws or a mounting plate and
screws. In the case of the sensing system 800, the sensing system
800 can be installed similarly. Likewise, it would be obvious to
ordinary skill in the art to install the device in alternate
orientations such as on a wall, etc. In the case of a wall mount,
the sensing system 800 can again be mounted to the wall via screws
or a mounting plate. Alternatively, the sensing system 800 could be
mounted via the plug extensions used to connect the sensing system
to a wall outlet (not shown).
Likewise, it would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art
to integrate the smoke detector 815 and the communication device
810 into a single package for ease of installation or to integrate
the smoke detector 815 and communication device 810 as separate but
interconnected elements for ease of replacement in the case of
device failure. Alternatively, it would have been obvious to one of
ordinary skill in the art to connect the communication device 810
and smoke detector 815 as separate devices remotely located one
from another but in electrical communication.
The communication device 810 can be powered by the same power
supply (not shown) that powers the smoke detector 815 or by an
alternate power supply (not shown). The smoke detector 815 can be
powered by a battery, AC wiring, rechargeable batteries, etc. as
would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art depending upon
individual situations. If the communication device 810 is acting as
both a sensing system and a repeater as discussed above, the
communication device 810 could have a dedicated power supply (not
shown). The power supply (not shown) can be a battery, a
rechargeable battery, or AC power with battery backup.
FIG. 9 shows and exploded perspective of the sensing system 900.
The sensing system 900 comprises a smoke detector 905 and a
communication device 910 attached to the ceiling 915. As shown, the
communication device 910 is attached directly to the ceiling 915,
and the smoke detector 905 is attached to the ceiling 915. As would
be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, the smoke detector
905 could be attached to the ceiling separate from the
communication device 910. In addition, the smoke detector 905 could
be attached to the ceiling 915 and capture the communication device
910 between the ceiling and the smoke detection 905. Alternatively,
as discussed above, the sensing system 900 can be attached to a
wall, etc. as needed in individual design situations. The circuitry
of the communication device 910 is shown as a printed circuit board
920. As is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art, the
communication device 910 can be embodied in other forms such as
hybrid microelectronics, hardwired, etc.
FIGS. 10A and 10B sets forth a block diagram of alternate
embodiments of the sensing system. In these embodiments, the smoke
detector is wired into the residence's AC wiring and is wired to
communicate with any other smoke detector in the system. While
these figures set forth the sensing system as being powered via AC
wiring, this in no way limits the use of this invention with a AC
power supply. Other power supplies such as batteries, rechargeable
batteries, combinations thereof, etc. as discussed above would be
obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art depending upon
individual design constraints.
In FIG. 10A, the communication device 1000 is connected to the
alarm line 1005. When the smoke detector 1010 notifies any other
detectors (not shown) via the home wiring 1015 of the alarm
condition, the communication device 1000 also receives the alarm
signal and sends the appropriate message to the local gateway as
discussed above. It should be noted that the AC power lines 1020 do
not pass through the communication device 1000.
FIG. 10B sets forth an alternate embodiment of the AC wired smoke
detection system. Again, when the smoke detector 1065 notifies the
other detectors (not shown) via the home wiring 1030 of the alarm
condition, the communication device 1050 also receives the alarm
signal and sends the appropriate message to the local gateway as
discussed above. In this case, the communication device 1050 acts
as a pass-through for both the alarm line 1055 and the AC power
lines 1060 that is connected to the smoke detector 1065 and the
home wiring 1070.
FIG. 11 sets forth a block diagram of another alternate embodiment
of the sensing system 1100. In this embodiment, the sensing system
1100 comprises the smoke detector 1105, the alarm 1110, the
communication device 1115, and a testing module 1120. The sensing
system 1100 monitors for the smoke condition and sends a control
signal to the alarm 1110 as discussed above. In addition, the
testing module 1120 allows the on-site testing of the smoke
detector 1105 and audible alarm 1110. The testing module 1120 also
can temporarily disable the communication device 1115 to prevent
the transmission of a false alarm during testing. Alternatively,
the test module 1120 can send a control signal to the communication
device 1115 in the form of a false smoke detection alarm to
transmit a test message to the local controller 240 (FIG. 2).
FIG. 12 sets forth an embodiment of the residential monitoring
system 1200. The monitoring system 1200 can comprise a single
facility 1205 having multiple sensing systems 1210 communicating
with a local gateway 1215 to a central location (not shown) via a
WAN 1220 or other alternative method. Each of the multiple sensing
systems 120 can be communicating with the local gateway through
wireless or alternative means. Also, the multiple sensing systems
can be communicating via a message protocol system as discussed
above. It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to
implement a varying number of sensing systems in a single
facility.
Alternatively, the monitoring system can comprise multiple
facilities with multiple sensing systems 1210, 1240, 1245, 1250
communicating with a local gateway 1215 or a local gateway 1255 via
direct wireless communication or via repeater transceivers 1260,
1265. The number of devices, facilities, etc. is limited only by
individual design constraints. Further information regarding
various aspects of the operation of this system can be found in the
commonly assigned U.S. utility patent application entitle, "System
and Method for Monitoring and Controlling Residential Devices,"
issued Ser. No. 09/790,150.
The number of sensing systems that can be used with a single
gateway or with a single WAN is limited only by the design of the
local gateway and/or WAN. It would be obvious to one of ordinary
skill in the art to use a local gateway and/or WAN that would
accommodate the needed system.
FIG. 13 sets forth a block diagram of an embodiment of the local
gateway 1300. The local gateway 1300 comprises an RF transceiver
1305, a memory 1310, a CPU 1315, and some means for communicating
with the WAN 1320.
The RF transceiver 1305 may be configured to receive incoming RF
signal transmissions via the antenna 1325. Each of the incoming RF
signal transmissions may be consistently formatted in the
convention previously described. The local gateway 1300 may be
configured such that the memory 1310 includes a look-up table 1330
that may assist in identifying the various remote and intermediate
RF communication devices used in generating and transmitting the
received data transmission as illustrated in memory sectors 1335
and 1340 herein labeled, "Identify Remote Transceiver" and
"Identify Intermediate Transceiver," respectively. Programmed or
recognized codes within the memory 1310 may also be provided and
configured for controlling the operation of a CPU 1315 to carry out
the various functions that are orchestrated and/or controlled by
the local gateway 1300. For example, the memory 1310 may include
program code for controlling the operation of the CPU 1315 to
evaluate an incoming data packet to determine what action needs to
be taken. In this regard, one or more look-up tables 1330 may also
be stored within the memory 1310 to assist in this process.
Furthermore, the memory 1310 may be configured with program code
configured to identify a remote RF transceiver 1305 or identify an
intermediate RF transceiver 1305. Function codes, RF transmitter
and or RF transceiver ID may all be stored with associated
information within the look-up tables 1310.
Thus, one look-up table 1310 may be provided to associate
transceiver identifier. Another look-up table 1330 may be used to
associate function codes with the interpretation thereof. For
example, a unique code may be associated by a look-up table 1330 to
identify functions such as test, temperature, smoke alarm active,
security system breach, etc. In connection with the lookup table(s)
1330, the memory 1310 may also include a plurality of code segments
that are executed by the CPU 1315, which may in large part control
operation of the gateway 1300. For example, a first data packet
segment may be provided to access a first lookup table to determine
the identity of a RF transceiver, which transmitted the received
message. A second code segment may be provided to access a second
lookup table to determine the proximate location of the message
generating RF transceiver, by identifying the RF transceiver that
relayed the message. A third code segment may be provided to
identify the content of the message transmitted. Namely, is it a
fire alarm, a security alarm, an emergency request by a person, a
temperature control setting, etc. Consistent with the invention,
additional, fewer, or different code segments may be provided to
carryout different functional operations and data signal transfers
throughout the DCCMS 200 (FIG. 2) of the present invention.
The local gateway 1300 may also include one or more mechanisms to
facilitate network based communication with remote computing
devices. For example, the gateway 1300 may include a network card
1345, which may allow the gateway 1300 to communicate across a
local area network to a network server, which in turn may contain a
backup gateway (not shown) to the WAN 215 (FIG. 2). Alternatively,
the local gateway 1300 may contain a modem 1350, which may be
configured to provide a link to a remote computing system, by way
of the PSTN 125 (FIG. 1). In yet another alternative, the local
gateway 1300 may include an ISDN card 1355 configured to
communicate via an ISDN connection with a remote system. Other
communication interfaces may be provided as well to serve as
primary and or backup links to the WAN 215 (FIG. 2) or to local
area networks that might serve to permit local monitoring of
gateway 1300 health and data packet control.
Having described the physical layer of a DCCMS 200 (FIG. 2)
consistent with the present invention, reference is now made to
FIG. 14, which describes a data structure of messages that may be
sent and received via the DCCMS 200. In this regard, a standard
message may comprise a "to" address; a "from" address; a packet
number; a maximum packet number, a packet length; a command
portion; a data portion; a packet check sum (high byte); and a
packet check sum (low byte). As illustrated in the message
structure table of FIG. 14, the "to" address or message destination
may comprise from 1 to 6 bytes. The "from" address or message
source device may be coded in a full 6 byte designator. Bytes 11
through 13 may be used by the system to concatenate messages of
packet lengths greater than 256 bytes. Byte 14 may comprise a
command byte. Byte 14 may be used in conjunction with bytes 15
through 30 to communicate information as required by DCCMS 200
specific commands. Bytes 31 and 32 may comprise packet check sum
bytes. The packet check sum bytes may be used by the system to
indicate when system messages are received with errors. It is
significant to note that bytes 31 and 32 may be shifted in the
message to replace bytes 15 and 16 for commands that require only
one byte. The order of appearance of specific information within
the message protocol of FIG. 14 generally remains fixed although
the byte position number in individual message transmissions may
vary due to scalability of the "to" address, the command byte, and
scalability of the data portion of the message structure.
Having described the general message structure of a message that
may be sent via the DCCMS 100 of the present invention, reference
is directed to FIG. 15, which illustrates three sample messages.
The first message 1500 illustrates the broadcast of an emergency
message "FF" from a central server with an address "0012345678" to
a personal transceiver with an address of "FF."
The second message 1510 reveals how the first message might be sent
to a RF transceiver that functions as a repeater. In this manner,
emergency message "FF" from a central server with address
"0012345678" is first sent to transceiver "FO." The second message,
further contains additional command data "A000123456" that may be
used by the system to identify further transceivers to send the
signal through on the way to the destination device.
The third message 1515 illustrated on FIG. 15 reveals how the
message protocol of the present invention may be used to "ping" a
remote RF transceiver 220 (FIG. 2) in order to determine
transceiver health. In this manner, source unit "E112345678"
originates a ping request by sending command "08" to a transceiver
identified as "A012345678." The response to the ping request can be
as simple as reversing the "to address" and the "from address" of
the command, such that, a healthy transceiver will send a ping
message back to the originating device. The system of the present
invention may be configured to expect a return ping within a
specific time period. Operators of the present invention could use
the delay between the ping request and the ping response to model
system loads and to determine if specific DCCMS 200 parameters
might be adequately monitored and controlled with the expected
feedback transmission delay of the system.
It is significant to note that one or more specific types of RF
transceivers may be integrated within the DCCMS 200 of the present
invention. For example, one RF transceiver that may be used is the
TR1000, manufactured by RF Monolithics, Inc.
As is known, the TR1000 hybrid transceiver is well suited for short
range, wireless data applications where robust operation, small
size, low power consumption, and low-cost are desired. All critical
RF functions are contained within the single hybrid chip,
simplifying circuit design and accelerating the design-in process.
The receiver section of the TR1000 is sensitive and stable. A wide
dynamic range log detector, in combination with digital automatic
gain control (AGC) provide robust performance in the presence of
channel noise or interference. Two stages of surface acoustic wave
(SAW) filtering provide excellent receiver out-of-band rejection.
The transmitter includes provisions for both on-off keyed (OOK) and
amplitude-shift key (ASK) modulation. The transmitter employs SAW
filtering to suppress output harmonics, for compliance with FCC and
other regulations.
Additional details of the TR1000 transceiver need not be described
herein, because the present invention is not limited by the
particular choice of transceiver. Indeed, numerous RF transceivers
may be implemented in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention. Such other transceivers may include other 900 MHz
transceivers, as well as transceivers at other frequencies. In
addition, infrared, ultrasonic, and other types of transceivers may
be employed, consistent with the broad scope of the present
invention. Further details of the TR1000 transceiver may be
obtained through data sheets, application notes, design guides
(e.g., the "ASH Transceiver Designers Guide"), and other
publications known those skilled in the art.
The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obvious
modifications or variations are possible in light of the above
teachings. For example, it should be appreciated that, in some
implementations, the transceiver ID is not necessary to identify
the location of the transceiver 400. Indeed, in implementations
where the transceiver is permanently integrated into an alarm
sensor other stationary device within a system, then the control
system application server 205 and/or the local gateway 240 may be
configured to identify the transmitter location by the transmitter
identifier alone. It will be appreciated that, in embodiments that
do not utilize RF transceiver/repeaters 220, the RF transmitters
235 and/or RF transceivers 225 may be configured to transmit at a
higher power level, in order to effectively communicate with the
local gateway 240.
The embodiment or embodiments discussed were chosen and described
to illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical
application to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize
the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications
as are suited to the particular use contemplated. For example, this
sensing system would easily modifiable for all binary type sensors
that output a signal indicating a binary condition such as a door
ajar sensor, a window sensor, a sprinkler flow sensor, etc. In
addition, this sensing system would also be modifiable to
accommodate any type of sensor with an output signal that can be
detected by the data controller. All such modifications and
variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by
the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth
to which they are fairly and legally entitled.
* * * * *